ImplicitI sense it in your demeanor I hear it in your voiceYou’d appreciate my input to steer you to your choice You are hesitant. I understand. The long-term is your concernYou digest the output from my live and learn

The strength of our friendship is our mutual respect My honest thoughts are all you can expect Frank and forward, telling it like it is My honest observations go something like this

Age is just a number, as the saying goes It’s really just a matter of who knows Fifty-three, the new forty-three Forty-two, so thirty-two?All that matters, really,is her, plus you

Perspective is everything,
when it comes to the heart
You are far better together
than when you’re apart
Fulfillment is truly reciprocal
It’s all about how you feel
If it feels best together,
what you have is real

So much common outlook,
that it’s effortless to share
Life is far more full
when you’re both there
The physical, the cerebral
The intimacy, the fun
Life seems more complete
when any two are one

We are in absolute agreement,
that the enemy is regret
It becomes more assured and clear
with the further we get
My words are implicit, coming from the right placeAs honest, and reassuring,asthe smile on your face

I sensed it in your ease I can hear it in your voiceBoth relaxed, and relievedwith your obvious choice You are happy. Bottom line. Nothing selfish in that smile You’ve known what you want for quite a while

Fortitude
From father to father,
and friend to friend,
I send you thoughts
I can barely comprehend.

I have been reticent and respectfully hesitant to send my thoughts, any thoughts, your way. Because, for the first time, perhaps first time ever, I simply could not find
any words to say.

After laboured rumination, days spent distracted, with all of your family weighing on my mind, feeling extremely selfish and somewhat irresponsible, I will attempt to expressthoughts I’ve managed to find.

As a distant friend it would be remiss, and inadequate, to send you my love. If I was a believer I could send a prayer, deferring my sentiments to someone up above.

I have no wisdom to pass on to you, no innate answers that I can honestly give. It’s an experience that I have never had, and one, that no one should ever have to live.

You already know we send our condolences, and we know you have family for a comforting hug or a soothing kiss. So, as my tear touched sentences gain their momentum, the least that I can do is to let you know this.

We have read the resilient words that you have shared, have great respect for your fortitude in the face of such pain. We’ve seen the positive approach that you have displayed, the cascade of beautiful memories
and there affirming refrain.

Pictures of a young life well-lived, always to the fullest, by a vibrant young man who seems exceedingly wise. Smiles and great experiences, friends and family, and life,images of dedication, and pride, seen through his father’s eyes.

We admire, from our distance, your immense courage, and resolve, as you lead by example,
for those also exceedingly sad. The best representation of a parent and a dedicated husband, the brave face of a grieving family, the embodiment of a caring Dad.

Seeing this fortitude in you provides us all with inspiration, with the stark realization that we must cherish every day. And, what I realize now is, that the most important thing, is not what we have to offer you, but rather, what we can take away.

Thinking of your love, and loss makes me want to give my all,recognizing a perspective that I should have embraced before. When I see your stance, representing such strength, I am inspired to be stronger and to love life just that much more.

Whenever I get down I will climb right back up, look at my little problems with the appropriate perspective. Will take the time to notice the warmth that surrounds me, to understand how lucky I am, whenever I feel reflective.

Every time I feel the impulse I will give my daughters a hug,holding on to it, and them, just a little longer. I will tell them, far more often, just how much I love them, with a renewed certainty, which is just that much stronger.

And, I will never use distance as a lazy, convenient excuse, because when time is so tenuous, it should never be a bother. This is a promise I intend to keep, in honour, of both you and your son, as I draw upon your fortitude to be a better friend, and father.

Father to father, and friend to friend, my words barely touch the respect that I send.

PagesPlenty of reflections Plenty of idiosyncrasies come naturally with age.
The inclination to hesitate The instinct to look back… before I turn a page.
Birthdays and anniversaries Dates of significance Names and news and faces. They pull be back in time To a life full of friendsTo many happy places.
I find myself occupied For more than a moment When I stop to reminisce. So deeply entrenched As I get lost in a past That I invariably miss.
I have done my due time Been an adult for a while Am a proud father of two. Have settled into middle age Set aside my daydreams For the responsible view.
Far too many pages Far too many friendships That I’ve let slide by.
As my mortality jolts me As I read into it further… I have to ask why?

Social media postcards Everyone is travelling Going there and there. With unlimited budgets Twelve weeks of vacation Gone without a care.
Everyone else seems to get it That time is of the essence As the years tread by. Different walks of life With uncommon passages But similar reasons why.
Emphatic experiences To exciting locations At the drop of a hat. Unbelievably available Unrealistic, of course But I want some of that.
So many more pages So many more memories for me to still get.
With age comes wisdom With wisdom comes perspective… but not just yet.

Chance encounter reminders Of emotions long forgottenOf passages in my book. Resolute feelings of once was The remnants of my passion And the chances that I took.
“You look great for fifty” That is kind of you to say But it’s clearly not the same. Just takes me back to twenty With the world at my feet At the top of my game.
I have no urge to act my age I crave the reckless abandon That I felt back then. I need more of that feeling More of that self-assurance Inside of me again.
Plenty of next pages Plenty of new stories before this chapter ends.
Much is still in place Much of what motivates me… and most of those friends.

Perogies, and perspective New friends, community, drinks The comfort in knowing What the best in us thinks—–

Live music for what ails me, My spirit needing a lift The Black Sheep beckoned My own pre-Christmas gift

‘A Weber Brother’s Christmas’… That had to be good for my soul I was alone, and a few hours early So, it would be fresh air and a stroll
—–

Intending to bide some time,
I curiously opened your door
Just looking for a unique pint
What I found, was far more

At first, it was exactly what I wanted A small crowd, and ‘Perogy Night’!Easing into the Kaffé 1870 atmosphereSomething about it, feeling just right

It didn’t take very long, however The numbers began to grow For live music and a fundraiser More and more locals, I came to know

Kaffé 1870, Wakefield for Refugees
An awaiting host, a timely cause A community coming together Just like that, and just because

Words from the dedicated organizers,
A gregarious councillor, made everyone smile
The people, the closeness, the obvious warmth
My trip, already, well worth its while

It would become hard for me to leave‘Godknowswhat’ was sublime
Extremely accomplished musiciansDonating their talent, and their time

I couldn’t count all of the terrific chats I had found, in just a few hours But, what I will never underestimate Is community, and its obvious powers

Seeing the good in so many people And knowing, when I hear it
Experiencing your generosity And sharing in your spiritA raffle ticket, some Bean Fair coffee, For my table, another round I had donated, but felt like the recipient As I departed, Black Sheep bound
—–

Two Weber hours later After another fantastic show It was time for me to leave But, I didn’t really want to go

Reflecting, smiling again, And thinking, alone in my car About an extremely fortunate family About just how lucky they are

There is a place reserved at the front of my thoughts for the good people…

For the those who make an indelible impressionA lasting, singular imprint in the matter of my mind Who personify perspectiveAn insight into how to livewith a clear, distinct understanding that it’s cool to be kind.

For those who possess a truly honest dignitySeeing the realities of this world in the best possible light Who look ever forward Learning from life experienceguided on their unique way by a sense of what is right

For those who put othersbefore themselvesKnowing that compassion and integrityare indeed reciprocalWho expect nothing in returnbut your friendship and respectas you join them on their pathto a life that’s exceptional

There is a place reserved
for such people… at the front of my thoughts,
in the matter of my mind
And it would be my honour to continue this journey
on the same path as them

I choose time alone when I simply want to be nearer to myself my solitude and me

A discreet place to revitalize my mind Leaving the mess of the world behindDiscovery within my solitary den Deciding where and how and when Choosing to get lost, in order to find A matter of self-reflection, that’s undefined A substance of silence that finds my pen Feelings are sought and selected again

I need to escape to where I should be closer to myself my solitude and me

I seek out true serenity comfort in where I will be right there beside myself my solitude and me

A secluded place where my soul can stay Understanding the world, by turning away Immersed within my distinct seclusion Savoring quality time without intrusion Choosing the hours, from day to day To do my own thing, in my own way Lured by a tranquility that’s paper thin My particular private selfish place within

I choose this time alone so I can just be content with myself my solitude, and me

This peaceful place where I have grownRecognizing the richness of self-unknown Perception within my mind’s eye Seeing the strength and knowing why Choosing to internalize, on my own Joined by my thoughts, I am never alone Together we laugh, we learn, we try Finding perspective with myself and I